CHA Weekly Release: 3/17/2014

CHA Player of the Week

Christine Bestland – Mercyhurst

Senior; Forward; Brunkild, Manitoba

The Lakers’ captain was outstanding in the 3-2 upset of
Cornell in the NCAA Quarterfinals on Saturday. Bestland assisted on
Kaleigh Chippy’s power play goal early in the second, which
tied the game and sparked the Lakers offense. Bestland scored the
go-ahead goal on a wrap-around less than four minutes later, and
netted the game-winner in the third period. The three-point
performance gives Bestland 226 career points, moving her into
second all-time in the program record books.

CHA Goaltender of the Week

Amanda Makela – Mercyhurst

Junior; Thunder Bay, Ontario

Makela stood tall against the third-best scoring offense in the
nation, allowing just two goals and making 29 saves in the Lakers'
3-2 win over Cornell in the NCAA Quarterfinals. Makela made several
game-saving stops, including holding off a flurry of attempts in
the final minutes to preserve the one-goal lead. She improves to a
1.80 goals against average and a .927 save percentage on the
season. The win was the first NCAA victory of her career.

CHA Rookie of the Week

Jillian Skinner – Mercyhurst

Defenseman; Markham, Ontario

Jillian Skinner blocked one shot in the defensive position in
the 3-2 win over No. 2 Cornell on Saturday. The freshman
was an even plus/minus rating in the first NCAA playoff game in her
career. Skinner has appeared in 34 games this season, posting 11
points (1G, 10A) and blocking 37 shots. This is her third rookie of
the week award of the season.

TEAM NOTES

Mercyhurst – The Mercyhurst
University women's hockey team heads to the NCAA Frozen Four for
the second consecutive season and fourth time in the last five
years. The Lakers defeated No. 2 Cornell in the NCAA
quarterfinals for the second straight year, this time by the score
of 3-2, to advance to the championships. Senior Christine
Bestland marked three points against the Big Red to jump to second
place in program history with 226 career points. Senior
Christie Cicero also reached the century mark with an assist on the
game-winning goal. Junior goaltender Amanda Makela made 29
saves in her NCAA Tournament debut and is now 1-0 in the NCAA
playoffs. The Lakers were in the lead heading into the final
period to post an undefeated 20-0-0 record after leading after two
periods this season. The Lakers face Clarkson University in
the semifinal contest on Friday, March 21 at 8:00 p.m.
The Lakers faced Clarkson in Postdam, N.Y. early in the season and
went 1-0-1 against the Golden Knights. The Lakers are now 5-9
in the NCAA playoffs and look to reach the title game for the
second time in program history.